WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Adam. Schiff urged House appropriators today to grant $1.35 million in federal funding for the City of Glendale, California to determine the most effective technology for removing chromium 6 from the city's water supply and develop a model treatment plant. This year’s appropriation would build on the $1.65 million in federal funding secured by Rep. Schiff over the past two years and provide the full $3 million in federal matching dollars to the $6 million in state and local funds needed to complete the $9 million project.
"The health risks of chromium 6 in our drinking water have been the subject of great concern" said Rep. Schiff. "This funding will help develop and build the first treatment plant in the nation that will be capable of removing chromium 6 and other heavy metals from our drinking water. I hope the results of the research study will provide a blueprint for other cities and water suppliers nationwide seeking to rid our drinking water of this chemical."
Spotlighted in the movie "Erin Brockovich," chromium 6 is a known industrial carcinogen when inhaled, but its effects when ingested in drinking water are subject to debate in the scientific community. The City of Glendale and the EPA have built a water treatment plan to remove industrial solvents from contaminated groundwater. The treatment plant, however, is not capable of removing heavy metals such as chromium 6. Glendale's current research and treatment proposal will use federal, state, and local funds to develop technologies at the plant to remove chromium 6 and other heavy metals such as arsenic and lead from the water prior to blending the treated groundwater into the city's drinking water supply.
The City of Glendale partners in the effort to conduct the study include Utah State University in Logan, Utah, the University of Colorado in Boulder, and the University of California, Los Angeles.
Rep. Schiff represents California’s 29th Congressional District, including the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.